Green Party Pushes for Sunday Opening Hours for Mini-Supermarkets in Southwest Germany
Mini-markets made of green wool petition for Sunday opening permissions - Mini-Supermarkets Advocate for Sunday Openings According to Greens' Proposal
Want to grab essentials on a Sunday? It might soon be possible, thanks to the Green Party's push for 24/7 mini-supermarkets in southern Germany. These digitally run stores, without a physical staff, would be open seven days a week, including Sundays, to enhance local supplies.
Andreas Schwarz, the Green Party faction leader in Stuttgart, supports this move. He envisions a legislative amendment to the Baden-Württemberg Retail Opening Hours Act, allowing mini-supermarkets to operate on Sundays legally. As of now, it's a legal grey area, and the Green Party aims to clarify this through the proposed bill.
This push is essential for supplying rural areas, Schwarz adds. locals won't have to drive miles for basic necessities like milk or when they run out of flour and sugar.
Operators of these stores also back Sunday openings, with trade expert Stephan Rüschen pointing out that they make twice as much revenue on Sundays compared to weekdays. Last year, Hesse passed a similar amendment, permitting such stores to operate, provided they're under 120 square meters and only sell daily necessities.
Debunking a misconception:Contrary to popular belief, not all shops, including mini-supermarkets, are required to remain closed on Sundays in Germany. However, only specific places such as shops at gas stations, airports, train stations, souvenir shops in tourist areas can operate on Sundays for essential needs. In practice, the number of Sundays allowed for retail opening is limited and usually confined to special events or occasions. To legally operate on Sundays for continued supply, stores typically need special authorization—a hurdle the Green Party seeks to remove.
In the proposed legislation, the Green Party envisions an increase in financial opportunities for both rural residents and mini-supermarket operators, as they aim to allow continuous operation on Sundays, providing a solution for food-and-drink essentials such as milk and flour. Consequently, this change in lifestyle could potentially lead to enhanced weekend revenue for these digital stores, as suggested by trade expert Stephan Rüschen.
